At about 2300h last night, the police say that businessman Mark Warner, 47 years, of Henrietta Village, Essequibo Coast, was in his shop when he was held at gunpoint by three men, one of whom was armed with a firearm.

At about 1300h. yesterday, the police say that Naresh Pooran, 43 years, of Enmore, ECD, was held up by two men, one of whom was armed with a firearm, at Coomacka, Linden, during which the perpetrators took away his licensed pistol and ammunition and $1M and escaped.

Self-confessed “death squad” member Shawn Hinds was caught early yesterday morning attempting to leave the country through the Suriname ‘backtrack’ boat crossing, a senior police official has revealed.

- CCJ ‘extremely disappointed’ at long delay in case

On the heels of an agreement to pay Surinamese company Rudisa US$6.22 million, the Guyana Government will soon be faced with a bill from Trinidad construction company NH International Ltd for the sum of $2.8 billion in a case dating back to 2007 and recently ruled on by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

- foreign minister signals potential for increased rice imports

Chile is opening an embassy here with a resident ambassador to assume duties this week as South America’s most developed country looks to step up its cooperation with Guyana and the Caribbean in a number of areas.

- focus to be placed on more prosecutions, assistance for victims

Government will be moving to mount a comprehensive response to human trafficking through more prosecutions and improved assistance for victims, according to Junior Social Protection Minister Simona Broomes.

Four Guyanese who were sentenced in 2009 to long jail terms in Barbados over drug trafficking have been allowed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to appeal a ruling of the Barbados Court of Appeal denying their application to appeal their convictions because time had run out.

The People’s Progressive Party says it is appalled of recent reports quoting Finance Minister Winston Jordan as saying the Cabinet of David Granger is actively considering pay hikes, in some cases more than 100% for its Ministers and Vice Presidents.